Bill Thompson is an attorney and forensic scientist known for his work in legal academia and forensic analysis. According to The Cinemaholic (January 29, 2025), he currently works as a Senior Research and Development Scientist at Bio Forensics, focusing on applying scientific evidence in legal cases.
In addition to his professional career, Thompson keeps his personal life private and out of public view. He first gained national recognition for his role in the O.J. Simpson trial, a case that significantly shaped his career and led to further contributions in law and forensic science.
As part of O.J. Simpson’s defense team in 1995, known as the "Dream Team," Thompson played a key role in challenging the prosecution’s use of DNA evidence. During the trial, he requested that the judge restrict personal questioning of scientists, arguing that such inquiries were unrelated to the case.
Netflix’s American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson is a four-part documentary series examining the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman, along with Simpson’s trial. The series revisits pivotal moments, including the white Bronco chase and courtroom proceedings, featuring insights from figures such as prosecutor Christopher Darden, defense attorney Carl Douglas, and witness Kato Kaelin.
Bill Thompson's career gained significant momentum after the O.J. Simpson trial, leading him to work on several high-profile cases that relied on forensic and statistical evidence. As per thecinemaholic.com January 29, 2025, while he continued practicing law, he also established himself as a leading academic in forensic science.
His research, supported by the National Institute of Justice, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), focuses on the role of scientific evidence in legal proceedings and how jurors interpret such information.
In addition to his academic contributions, Bill Thompson has been involved in key forensic science committees. He serves as the Chair of the Human Factors Committee of the Organization of Scientific Advisory Committees (OSAC) and is a member of the Human Factors Subcommittee of the National Commission on Forensic Science.
At the University of California, Irvine (UCI), he holds a professorship in Criminology, Law & Society while contributing to research in psychology, social behavior, and law. He has expanded his expertise as a visiting scholar at the University of Lausanne and the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences at the University of Cambridge.
Beyond academia, Bill Thompson has taken on investigative roles, including serving on the Maryland Attorney General’s Audit Design Team, where he examines allegations of racial and pro-police bias in the state's medical examination system according to thecinemaholic.com January 29, 2025.
At one point, he was also part of the Royal Statistical Society panel. His analysis of the scientific status of STRMix contributed to a Daubert hearing, leading to his role as a Special Master for the U.S. District Court in Minnesota. Currently, Bill Thompson works as a Senior Research and Development Scientist at Bio Forensics. While his professional work remains in the public domain, he keeps his personal life private.
The official synopsis for the series on IMDb reads:
"Revisits the infamous 1990s murder case and trial that captivated America. With new interviews and insights, it explores the chase, courtroom drama, and cultural impact, offering a fresh look at this pivotal moment in US history."
In 1994, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman were found murdered in Nicole’s Los Angeles residence, leading to O.J. Simpson’s arrest and trial for double homicide. To mount his defense, Simpson assembled a team of high-profile attorneys. Among them was Bill Thompson, a DNA specialist, who is also featured in Netflix’s American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson, a four-part documentary revisiting the trial.
During the proceedings, Bill Thompson played a crucial role in challenging forensic evidence. According to The Cinemaholic (January 29, 2025), he urged the judge to prevent prosecutors from delving into the personal lives of scientific witnesses, stating that
“scientists must know that they can come into court and tell us what they know without having their personal lives scrutinized.”
Serving as a consultant on the case, Thompson contributed to the defense’s strategy, ultimately helping secure Simpson’s acquittal after a highly publicized trial.
Stay tuned for more updates.